There’s been a special relationship building over the last couple of years between Jeremy and Owen. Just six months apart, the pair play magnificently together with similar imaginations, the same interests and a genuine love for one another. They swam together at Great Wolf Lodge, paired up when riding in the car, and sat next to one another wherever they went. They even talked about getting an apartment together when they grow up – in Kentucky, no less, which is situated in the middle of Illinois and Tennessee. To be fair, of course.

This twosome started pairing off more noticeably a few Christmases ago and now they look forward to every visit when they can reunite and play for hours upon end. The best memory from this weekend was laying in bed and listening to their giggles when they were supposed to be falling asleep.

Saying goodbye was tough. I saw Owen shedding some tears and then listened to Jeremy talk about already missing Owen during our first half hour of the ride home. That’s just how it is when you’re Best Cousins.